PSYC3063 Learning to Read

Module Overview

This module will provide students with a comprehensive overview of literacy development. Topics will include theoretical models of visual word recognition and of literacy acquisition, the research methods available for studying literacy development (with a focus on the more recent use of eye movement recordings), cross-linguistic differences in literacy development, and both developmental and acquired reading disorders.

Module Details

Semester:

Semester 2

CATS points:

15

ECTS points:

7.5

Level:

Level 6

Module Lead:

Hazel Blythe

Aims and Objectives

Module Aims

To provide students with the skills, knowledge, and understanding to critically evaluate current understanding of how children learn to read, and of literacy disorders.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

There will be a weekly, 2-hour session. The first hour will be in lecture format, covering core material, whilst the second hour will be more interactive and will involve student presentations, group
discussions, and debates based on key journal articles. These interactive, student-led components of the weekly session will be vital for students’ development of critical evaluation skills.
Learning will also include independent study. Assigned reading, each week, will include both a textbook chapter and 2-3 key journal articles. In the weekly sessions, a subset of the group will be required to prepare in advance and then deliver a presentation on one of the pre-specified, key journal articles. Both the format (individual or group) and the number of presentations per week will depend on student numbers. These presentations will be given in the second hour of the weekly session, and will form part of the summative assessment for this module.